GUIDE HUT FUNDS DRIVE
Association continues to raise cash for hut
Volunteers behind the fundraising campaign for the new Guide hut in Blairgowrie are continuing with their efforts despite lockdown restrictions.
To coincide with its 100-year anniversary, Blairgowrie and Rattray Girlguiding Association has launched a Centenary
Distance Challenge Fundraiser.
Participants are being asked to register and complete the virtual distance between all the Guiding-owned centres in Perth and Kinross – a total of 130 miles – by July this year.
Volunteers behind the fundraising campaign for the new Guide Hut on Blairgowrie’s Emma Street are continuing with their efforts despite lockdown restrictions.
Local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers have been without a permanent base since the sudden closure of the existing hut in 2016 when the building was declared unfit for use.
Since then, local Girlguiding Association units have been meeting in various locations.
And, with many of the usual methods of fundraising unable to take place due to Covid restrictions, the fundraising committee has come up with some innovative ways to support its efforts.
The group received planning permission and a building warrant for a replacement hut last year.
The new building will be energyefficient and warm and will be located on the same footprint as the old hut.
And as well as being used by the Girlguiding Association units, it will also be available for other community groups to use.
A spokesperson for the fundraising committee continued: “Having secured planning permission and the building warrant, the hard work continues to fund the demolition and rebuilding costs, and that old adage comes to mind - mony a mickle maks a muckle, loosely translated as every little helps!
“Applications for grants are being submitted by the committee, but due to current circumstances, many of the grants that were previously available are currently restricted to Covid-related activities.
“We are therefore delighted to receive donations from local supporters.
“In the run-up to Christmas, a quiz supported by some local shops and parents of our members brought in £130 towards our cause. The winner of the quiz was Pat Henshaw.
“One of our Brownies, Luna Whytock, donated £220 she had collected by organising a Christmas card delivery service in the town, and we would like to say a huge thanks to those who used this service and to Luna’s delivery elves.”
To coincide with its 100 year anniversary, Blairgowrie and Rattray Girlguiding Association has launched a Centenary Distance Challenge Fundraiser.
Participants are being asked to register at a cost of £20, for which they will receive a specially created centenary badge and medal, and to complete the virtual distance between all the Guiding owned centres in Perth and Kinross – a total of 130 miles – by July this year.
The fundraising committee is also keen to raise awareness of a Localgiving page for people who would like to donate without having to walk anywhere.
The spokesperson said: “We have a Localgiving page available for anyone who wishes to donate towards the rebuilding costs.
“Do you have fond memories of your time in Guiding units in Blairgowrie or Rattray, or elsewhere?
“Would you like to help new generations of girls learn new skills, take part in adventures, go camping, and get away from the pressures of social media – which can be both a blessing and a curse?
“If you feel you can help in any way, please go online and make a donation.”
Other fundraising efforts the committee has planned for the coming months include holding a charity shop, Covid restrictions allowing, and selling a recipe book featuring recipes from current and former Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and Leaders.
“We fully appreciate that the last 12 months or so has been an exceedingly difficult year for everyone and money is short, but every donation will bring our new building a little closer, giving a home for your children, grandchildren and even future great-grandchildren to use.
“Once we can get out and about again, local Guiding groups will be fundraising at various events and would appreciate your support as we rattle our buckets in your direction.”
For more information on the Centenary Distance Challenge, see the Girlguiding Blairgowrie and Rattray Facebook page.
To donate to the new Guide Hut, go online at https://localgiving.org/ girlguiding-blairgowrie-and-rattraydistrict
Alternatively, if you wish to donate but prefer not to do so online, or if you have any ideas for fundraising, contact Lisa Hilditch via guidehutblairgowrie@ gmail.com.
The old adage comes to mind - mony a mickle maks a muckle, every little helps